A fluid pump has a housing, a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, an inlet valve, an outlet valve, and a plunger. The plunger has a plunger tube extending into the chamber and supported for movement, on a suction stroke, to introduce a fluid into the chamber via the inlet, and, on a discharge stroke, to displace the fluid from the chamber via the outlet. An electromagnetic driving unit moves the plunger in two opposite directions. A magnetic core is located adjacent the plunger for establishing a magnetic path across the electromagnetic driving unit and the plunger. The core is located in the path of movement of the plunger on the suction stroke, and is protected or covered by a material against contact with the fluid in the housing.